Canada launches its first-ever Africa strategy

Canada now has a blueprint for policy for Africa. 

Global Affairs Canada made the announcement March 6,  the first time Ottawa has defined a global framework for diplomatic, development, and humanitarian engagement with the world’s second-largest continent.  

The Canadian framework is in sync with the African Union’s Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want, allowing Canada and its African counterparts to collaborate on peace and stability, sustainable development, trade, international diplomacy, and diaspora engagement. 

Ben Marc Diendéré, Canada’s Permanent Observer to the African Union, is promoted to Canada’s Special Envoy for Africa to advance the new strategy.

Given the political instability in the Sahel countries, Marcel Lebleu, Canada’s Ambassador to Senegal, will also act as Canada’s Special Envoy for the Sahel. 

To expand Canada’s diplomatic network, a high commission and an embassy will be opened in Zambia and Benin, respectively.  

FinDev, Canada’s development financing organization, will open an office in South Africa. 

Canada has also announced $869.5 million for more than 50 development and humanitarian programs across the continent. Additionally, the country has committed $25.7 million to assist civilians in Sudan suffering from the ongoing civil war. 

These efforts are part of Canada’s strategy to deepen its engagement with Africa, which is set to be home to a quarter of the world’s population in two decades. Canada is also home to over a million people of African descent. 

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